YOUTH SUCCESS: Youth and Gang Violence Prevention

ACT recently initiated and is currently steering a region-wide effort to bring a youth violence reduction strategy into Sacramento based on the Boston Ceasefire Project.  This model is a data-driven approach to reducing youth homicides and gang-related violence that has been replicated in six cities over the last ten years.  Evaluations in Boston showed over a seven year period that the Ceasefire approach reduced youth homicides from 150 per year to only 1 in four years on average.  In Stockton, CA the Ceasefire strategies reduced gang-related homicides by more than 75%.  A similar Chicago effort using Ceasefire strategies called "Project Safe Neighborhoods" reduced homicide rates by 55% and recidivism rates of participants by 30%.

According to the Sacramento Police Department's gang unit, there are an average of 50 youth and/or gang-related homicides per year in Sacramento.   The Ceasefire approach employs very targeted strategies to get the "drivers of violence" off the streets by speaking with them directly about their future, and providing them with alternatives to a lifestyle of violence, including living wage jobs, counseling, and other community support.

Cease Fire "Call Ins" comprise the heart of the project, wherein targeted youth are brought before a panel of community members, youth formerly involved in violence, service organizations, criminal justice agencies, family members, and faith leaders.  The panel assures them that the community wants targeted youth to succeed but emphasizes that law enforcement will intervene if their violence doesn't stop.  This is not a "Scared Straight" strategy because alternatives are in place; the group ensures that service agencies are at the meeting and ready to help with employment, education, and related support services if the youth choose to change.

With funding from the California Endowment, Sacramento ACT has contracted with a researcher from CSUS who has a background in managing the statistics division at the Department of Justice.  Prof. Croisdale is now working closely with Sgt. Erik Walker of the Sac PD crime analysis division to begin the multi-layer data analysis required by the project.

    In partnership with the Office of Youth Development and in conjunction with the 13 Cities Gang Initiative, Sacramento ACT has convened the "Sacramento Ceasefire Task Force" to guide and direct full implementation of Ceasefire strategies in Sacramento.  This task force is made up of representatives from SCUSD Gang Violence Suppression team, the Sac PD gang unit, six local ACT member congregations, the volunteer services coordinator for Sac County probation, Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, the 'Yes to Youth' campaign, and ACT staff.  This task force is currently making contact with the district attorney's office, the sheriff department gang unit, and the juvenile chief for Sac County Probation.   All of these entities will be present at Cease Fire Call Ins.